“The Wings of the
Eagle” proudly traces its history back to the Korean War. On 7 December 1950,
the 4th Light Aviation Section was constituted in the Regular Army
and was assigned to the Eighth US Army in Korea where it remained until
deactivated on 5 November 1954.

The 4th
Light Aviation Section was reactivated on 1 July 1956 as the 101st
Aviation Company and assigned to the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault) at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. On 3 December 1962, as the Army’s aviation
force structure continued to grow, the 101st Aviation Company was
redesignated as the 101st Aviation Battalion.

Company A
deployed to the Republic of Vietnam on 11 April 1965 and became the first
element of the division to see combat since World War II. The remainder of the
101st Aviation Battalion deployed to Vietnam in December 1967 and
served with distinction there until the 101st Airborne Division
redeployed to Fort Campbell in February 1972. The 101st Aviation
Battalion was redesignated the 4th Battalion on 16 October 1987 when
the 101st Aviation Regiment was activated.

In 1990
and 1991 the Battalion served with distinction in Operation Desert Shield and
Desert Storm, completing over 3000 hours of accident free flying while
conducting combat operations. The Battalion’s record of excellence includes
planning, leading, and execution on the longest Air Assault in history to the
Euphrates River in Iraq.

In light
of the world-changing events of 11 September 2001, the unit rededicated itself
to preparing and training the best assault helicopter pilots in the world. The
year started quickly as the Battalion was given two short-notice missions to
deploy elements in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) while
simultaneously conducting Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) Rotation
02-04. Deploying 29 January 2002 for OEF, the battalion prepared and
strategically deployed 5 UH-60L aircraft and 6.5 aircrews to Khandahar,
Afghanistan. These soldiers executed aviation operations during Operation
Anaconda while conquering the difficult environment of Afghanistan. The
Battalion strategically deployed another 5 UH-60L aircraft and 6.5 aircrews to
Bragram Air Force Base, Afghanistan on 3 May 2002. Throughout the period of
deployment, the Battalion had to maintain the remaining 20 Uh-60L with limited
line company maintenance personnel and aircrews. In September 2002, two
elements of A Company, 4-101 Aviation Regiment (AVN REGT) redeployed from
Afghanistan where they supported OEF in the fight against the Taliban.

In September 2002,
the Battalion aggressively prepared for an upcoming Joint Readiness Training
Center Rotation (JRTC) 03-02 in Fort Polk, Louisiana by supporting both the
Leadership Training Program and Eagle Gate 03-02. From 1-21 November 2002,
4-101 AVN REGT again made history by supporting the longest JRTC rotation on
record while spending over 21 days in the maneuver box in support of the 3rd
Brigade Combat Team. With only a very short and hastened recovery from the
rotation at Fort Polk, the Wings of the Eagle participated in the Division
Deployment Exercise (DEPEX), which commenced before the Christmas Holidays and
lasted into the first month of 2003. The DEPEX prepared the Battalion for
deployment to Kuwait in support of follow-on combat operations in Iraq. 4-101
AVN REGT was one of the first units of the 101st Airborne Division
(Air Assault) to arrive in Kuwait for OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM (OIF) at the end
of February 2003.

On 23 March 2003,
4-101 AVN conducted not only the first Air Assault Operation in support of OIF
but also the longest in history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air
Assault) moving C/3-187 IN deep into enemy territory to establish site security
for FARP SHELL.

On 06 May 2003, the
entire Battalion moved to Baghdad International Airport in order to link up with
3 BCT. From that point on 4-101 AVN REGT was tasked organized under 3rd
BCT to provide direct support. 159th AVN BDE moved north to the city
of Mosul, while the Battalion moved 50 miles west to Tallafar, Iraq, along with
3 BCT.

The high operational
tempo of the Battalion did not diminish with the official closing of combat
operations in May 2003. Since AO Rakkasan encompassed such a large territory to
include strategically important border regions, 4-101 AVN REGT continued to
support not only 3rd BCT but also 159th AVN BDE and the
101st Airborne Division with daily flights ranging as far south as
CAMP DOHA, Kuwait, as far north as the Turkish border, as far west as the Syrian
border and as far east as the Iranian border with Northern Iraq. The unit
averaged approximately 950 flight hours every month while experiencing aircraft
maintenance parts supply shortages and a diminishing pool of experienced
pilots. By the end of the deployment in January 2004, 4-101 AVN REGT had flown
over 10,000 hours in combat.

Up to
this point, as an Air Assault Battalion with UH-60L Blackhawks, Officers,
Non-Commissioned Officers, and enlisted personnel, 4th Battalion
served as the nucleus of a dedicated Aviation Task Force and major component of
the 3rd Brigade Task Force.

In June 2004, the
Battalion will gain a line company and will be task organized solely to 159th
Aviation Brigade. As always, the “Wings of the Eagle” battalion continues to
serve with distinction within the Air Assault Division.

The "Wings of the Eagle Battalion" continues to serve with distinction within
the Air Assault Division.

A 4/101 Aviation Regt "Comancheros" 2009

A 4/101 Aviation Regiment
"Comancheros" Nov 2005

A 4/101 Aviation Regt
"Comancheros" Crew Chiefs and Door Gunners 2009

PFC RICHARD MONTGOMERY;CW2 JOSHUA HAVILL; CW4 MICHAEL ALFORD AND CPL NAAMEN
STROM Balad, Iraq NOV 28 2005. CW4 Michael Alford began his career
in 1968-69, first assignment out of flight school, first combat mission
with the Comancheros, Mike was able to fly one of his last combat missions
with the same unit over 36 years later

This picture is
rare "group hug" photo of the worlds best unit, A CO 4/101st AVN
REGT Comancheros fall 1994, shoot em in the face! Comanchero 6, CPT
(Now MAJ) Ronnie Miller is on the left, second row. I'm the guy on the
right of the 3rd row, Comanchero 39.

Photo by Wesley
J. Gale

Comanchero 06
Capt Chivers and other Comancheros with the kids

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

1SG Nidiffer
running the 9mm range

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

Aircraft #531 at
Udari

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

Aircraft #501 at
Raider TOC

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

Aircraft #456 at
Udari

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

The Comancheros
in flight

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

Aircraft #452 at
Udari

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

Comancheros

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

4th Batt Area
Thunder

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

4th Batt Area
Victory

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

4th Batt Area
Victory (2)

Photograph by A 4/101 Avn

This is the new
Comanchero Patch (June 2004) that is currently worn by the members of A 4/101
Avn (above left and old patch on right) it was designed by CW2 AJ Santiago. It was drawn by hand shortly after the
Comancheros crossed the berm into Iraq in 2003. Once we returned home in 2004,
it was decided that the drawing would be converted into the new patch. The war
hungry Comanchero aircraft in the patch wears #531 on the intermediate section
for our lost aircraft of #531 which was lost over Mosul on NOV 15th 2003. We
lost 4 Comancheros that night. Behind the aircraft is the country of Iraq. The
blue oval is an aviation blue. The aircraft wears the Comanchero headgear to
include the tassels and large brim. He is equipped with David Clark headphones
and two fully locked and loaded M60 machine guns. he also has the Comanchero
engine cowling "Tattoo". He is ready at a moments notice to spill the blood of
evil do'ers and help those in need of a Comanchero.
Enjoy the new patch!

CW2 AJ Santiago

Webmaster
note: A 4/101 Avn Regt 'Comancheros' as of early 2006 have gone back to the
patch on the right above as the current unit patch. Patch
designer, SPC James Hoffman 1999

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